Family History

Cumbria County Council has an extensive Library and Archive Service.

Kirkby Stephen Library
This small but well stocked library carries quite a wide range of local history reference books and information. Additionally there are local history files for the Upper Eden area and Census Records for Kirkby Stephen. The library might be your first stop for local research. Click here for opening times and contact information for Kirkby Stephen Library. A larger selection of reference books is available at Kendal and Carlisle Libraries: our local librarians will be able to help you with a particular book search.

Kendal Record OfficeRecords relating to Kirkby Stephen and the surrounding area, which came under the old county of Westmorland, are stored at Kendal.

Click here for more information about Cumbria’s Library and Archive Service.

Kirkby Stephen Family History Group
The group gives a warm welcome to everyone whether or not you are new to ancestry research or have had some experience and are always delighted to help each other. We meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7.00 pm in Kirkby Stephen Library. Membership free. We are also pleased to try to answer any local research queries from individual members’ knowledge.

The Upper Eden History Society open their archive on the first Saturday of the month 10:00 to 12:00 at the Friends Meeting House, High Street.

They have a selection of copy records, books and publications and their will be members of the committee to help with research. Refreshments available

Please contact Carole Lloyd at[email protected].Other useful informationThe Parish of Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland – A site for the Family Historian